With the booming of digital photography, music and games, the need for more powerful batteries is also increasing. Panasonic Batteries launches the Digital Xtreme Power battery: a revolutionary type of battery that delivers higher power and lasts longer in high drain digital appliances: up to 2 times longer than traditional alkaline batteries in a digital camera. The new and unique intelligent power supply has especially been developed for high drain digital and other power-demanding electronic appliances. With this ground-breaking battery, Panasonic Batteries responds to the increasing demand for small and lightweight power sources that can combine high power with a longer lifetime.

The new battery has been developed with a technology based on new ingredients and an advanced manufacturing process. This new generation battery will be integrated in Panasonic's battery range as a new category called Oxyride. With this innovatory introduction Panasonic Batteries revolutionizes the digital battery market and proves its pioneering leadership again. The new battery will be introduced on the European market in 2005.

More powerful and longer-lasting
Today the digitalisation of appliances ranging from digital cameras to PDA's has generated a strong demand for small, lightweight and high performance batteries. Consumers are using appliances more intensely, exploiting more features and thus demanding higher power and a longer lifetime.

In response to the increasing demand for high performance batteries, Panasonic Batteries launches the Digital Xtreme Power battery: a revolutionary new generation of batteries that has especially been developed for the digital era. Used in high drain appliances, the Digital Xtreme Power battery has a noticeably longer lifespan and its power exceeds that of alkaline batteries. Another positive
characteristic of the new battery is to keep its voltage on a high and stable level, which is excellent for operating digital devices.

Testing indicated that in digital cameras, the batteries last about two times longer than alkaline dry cells. As a result, digital camera users can take twice as much pictures with the Panasonic Digital Xtreme Power batteries. The new battery also allows quicker shooting and more rapid flash recovery improving the convenience for the user. In other high drain digital and electronic appliances (1000mW continuous discharge), the batteries on average last 1.5 times longer and offer more power: toys run faster, power on electric toothbrushes lasts longer, digital MP3 and CD players play more music.

The increased performance of the Digital Xtreme Power Battery is the result of a double breakthrough: the innovation of materials and the establishment of a new production process.

Panasonic Batteries introduced a combination of newly developed materials for the cathode (plus side): Oxy Nickel Hydroxide and new technologically developed manganese dioxide and graphite. A "Tablet Mix Control System" controls and increases the amount of these materials per battery in order to raise the discharge performance.

Additionally, a new vacuum pouring technology allows inserting a higher quantity of electrolyte in the battery, thus creating higher durability. The combination of these technological developments results in the improved power performance and durability that characterises the new battery.

With this innovatory introduction, Panasonic Batteries revolutionizes the digital battery market and proves its pioneering leadership again. This new generation battery will be integrated in Panasonic's battery range as a new category called Oxyride. The Oxyride range will feature next to the zinc carbon and alkaline ranges. The Panasonic Digital Xtreme Power battery will be introduced on the European market as from 2005.